Simple Requests...
I may be in the minority, but I prefer 440C, 425Mod, 420HC - non powder metallurgy, non Vanadium carbide steels. I also prefer Micarta and gorgeous woods to black phenolic and glass filled nylon. The differences between select, pro, and elite often mean I have to compromise, or buy two knives, take them apart, and put them back together to have one knife I love instead of a knife I simply like or tolerate. That gets expensive so I've only done it once or twice - i.e. my SK Blades green G10 Marksman with a "standard" 154CM hollow ground blade instead of the flat ground S35VN that it came with. I really had to fight the urge to put the 420HC hollow ground blade in that knife out of my salesman sample Marksman, but even I couldn't swallow messing up a unicorn like that - even though it would have meant no permanent modifications, but I didn't want the wear and use on that collectible knife. But I digress...
I would love to be able to buy a 112 Slim Pro in brown canvas Micarta with the "lowly" 420HC blade. I would love a Sprint in pro Micarta with a select 420HC blade (but we've already covered the topic of tooling up to make Lefty pocket clips not being profitable). I would love an Alpha Guide in Walnut and brown leather with the upgraded 420HC blade (see what I did there
). The list goes on.
I've reviewed enough proposals, conducted enough source selections, inspected enough production facilities, and conducted enough production readiness reviews to completely understand
Buck Knives Inc.
decisions. I understand why there are limited models in the Custom Knife Shop at any one time. I understand that there are more combinations of models, handles, steels, sheaths, and Cerakote colors that each of us would dream up than one company could possibly ever stay profitable trying to satisfy. But if I let my mind wander and dream a little, maybe Buck could set one or two work stations aside, and one or two experienced employees, and have a Double Secret Probation Custom Knife Shop where those employees can pull parts from any current production models to mix and match Double Secret Probation Custom Orders. You'd have to put some guardrails or a flow control on this thing to make it work, otherwise they would already be doing it. What throttle would keep this model from diverging? The first thought that comes to mind would be to limit it to BCCI members, or maybe even just Life Members. That might be a good course throttle adjustment setting. Then fine tune with price to a point where those one or two employees are busy full time, but not so backed up that there's a huge waiting list that's impossible to clear. Yes, that takes time to dial in, and it won't be right from the get-go.
I'm completely satisfied with BCCI, Buck, and their relationship. It's a privilege and I'm happy to support a company like Buck. I'm happy with any level of benefits that they are able to give BCCI. But I know that there are members who feel a little disappointed over the past several years because maybe the discount isn't as good as it once was, or that it doesn't apply to all the knives they want to buy, etc. Whatever, it's their company, they can do what they want, and any benefit we do get is a blessing. But something like this might be a feasible way to offer a new benefit to BCCI, while selling more knives (there are several times over the past few years that I would have purchased knives if I could mix and match from current production parts, but instead just dove into boxes in my collection and pulled out an old friend to re-discover while keeping my money. It would also probably incentivize more people to join BCCI, or to upgrade to a Life Member status.
Of course, we'd need to find a better name than the Double Secret Probation Custom Knife Shop. LOL! The BCCI Custom Knife Shop. The BCCI Life Member Custom Order Page. The You Dream it, We Build it page. The Burger King Buck Knife Builder. A rose by any other name...
And if we move beyond simple requests to the really outlandish, how about a half to 3/4 size Marksman with a 112 size blade (2.5-3" ish)? That would be phenomenal! Quick, easy, one-hand open and (finger safe for DCA) close with a reversible pocket clip. Use the good scale design like on the SK Blades versions. Make it in Micarta or G10. Hollow ground, no powder metallurgy or Vanadium carbide steel, and no Cerakote. I would buy 2-5 without hesitation. Well, my wallet would be protesting the whole time, but I'd still do it. LOL! The Range and Range Jr. (yes, I know that's not it's real name) might scratch that itch for me - we'll see when my Knife Center pre-order arrives in a month or two. And ironically, I think I'm going to like the glass-filled nylon of the Pro better than the painted aluminum of the Elite, so I can get my preferred steel (well, of those two choices). Whereas I like Micarta and wood over glass filled nylon, I like painted aluminum even less. The knives I've had in it are too slippery, and get scratched up and look trashy. Micarta and wood gain character with use and age. Painted aluminum, just, doesn't. I'm not spending the money to buy both the Range Pro and Elite so I may never get to handle both and know for sure, but a Range and Mini-Range Pro are each headed my way, and I'm super excited for them. I won't hold my breath for a Micarta Range/Mini-Range set in 440C though. Even dreams have limits, and I can't go through life with my head in the clouds. LOL! I'll gladly settle for 425Mod.
Anyhow, thanks for letting my mind ramble a little and listening to one dude's two cents.
PS: if anyone cares and is still listening to my incoherent babbling, the original wide and short pocket clip from the 112 Slim Selects and Pros is the best pocket clip ever.
